Writing Campaigns

Encourage Eldos From Central Asia

In some parts of Central Asia, leaving Islam to follow Jesus can have severe consequences. When Eldos converted to Christianity, he was beaten severely by Islamic extremists. They forced him to deny Jesus and become a Muslim again.

Eldos was hospitalised with a damaged eye, missing teeth, a jaw fracture and possible bleeding on the brain. Doctors weren’t sure he would survive.

When Eldos regained consciousness, he said “I am still alive because of the prayers of many people, I can feel it. Thank you!’

Eldos continues to undergo surgery. Men from his church guard his hospital bed every day in case Eldos is attacked again.

Eldos’ family have been threatened to keep quiet. His sister witnessed the attack and miscarried her baby because of the trauma and stress.

Write to encourage Eldos, his sister Nurzhan and their family as they count the cost of following Jesus in Central Asia.

Writing Guidelines

It is best to send greeting cards, artwork from children and postcards (send postcards in an envelope, do not write Open Doors' address on the postcard)

Please don't mention Open Doors

Don't send money

Please don't criticise a country or make proposals to help

"I am so happy because I know that I am not alone and that other believers out there are praying for me."

– Mercy James, Nigeria

Past Campaigns

01 Feb 2016

Pastor Dayaratne and Mala

In 2001, Pastor Dayaratne and his wife Mala opened the Agape Children’s Village in Sri Lanka, caring for abandoned, orphaned and abused children. Due to government pressure and a media smear campaign, Agape Children’s Village was forced to close in April 2013. As they wait to appeal their case, they continue their work through Agape Without Walls, educating children in rural villages and visiting the children who used to stay with them, now on the streets. Currently at Agape one of the buildings is being renovated, jointly supported by Open Doors contributions and the pastor’s own finances.

At the beginning of 2016 Open Doors New Zealand ran a writing campaign to encourage Pastor Dayaratne and Mala. In July these letters, together with cards from supporters all around the world, were delivered to the family. They were received with great joy.

“The main weapon we have as Christians to face persecution is prayer. We are here because our Christian brothers and sisters prayed for us.” - Pastor Dayaratne

01 Jun 2015

Sharifa

We asked Christians in New Zealand to write letters of encouragement to Sharifa from Cameroon. Sharifa’s husband was killed by the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram, leaving her alone to care for her three children. Open Doors has been supporting her financially and recently visited Sharifa’s family to deliver the letters of encouragement.

“When I see the letters, I realise that brothers and sisters are thinking about me in my suffering, in my difficulty,” Sharifa said. “The kids have been doing well in school, but Perside and Charite have often had malaria which keeps them out of school. I have also been struggling with malaria. Thank you so much for bringing the cards. Please thank all who have been writing. As they are praying for me, so am I for them. May God bless them all!”

Open Doors will continue to minister to the family. Sharifa asked us to please continue praying for their health, that the Lord will cause an awakening amongst the church members and that they will persevere in the faith.

01 Apr 2016

Mercy James

Earlier this year, Open Doors launched a letter-writing campaign for Mercy James in Nigeria - a victim of Boko Haram, who was abducted from her hometown and held in captivity for over five weeks. When Open Doors met Mercy last year, she had been left to live in an internally displaced people's (IDP) camp. Open Doors sought to help her with counselling, medical expenses, income generation and encouragement through your letters.

Now 23, Mercy forms a much more hopeful picture. "The transformation has been so radical, that was hard to recognise her," wrote an Open Doors worker. Today, Mercy lives with a foster family, and with the support of Open Doors, has started a tailoring business.

Open Doors, together with international visitors, went to see Mercy in order to pray with her, encourage her, and deliver the all-important letters. When she saw the letters, Mercy burst into joyful laughter. "I am so happy because I know that I am not alone and that other believers out there are praying for me. I am overwhelmed and my heart is filled with joy seeing Open Doors here again. Words cannot express the joy and peace I have."

01 Mar 2016

Jeovani, Steven and Dieu

In 2015 we ran a writing campaign for Jeovani, and were overwhelmed by your response. We're excited to bring you an update on this brave boy and his friends.

Life for Jeovani, Steven and Dieu changed dramatically on April 14, 2013, when Séléka forces fired three RPG missiles into their Sunday church meeting in Bangui. Seven people died and 33 were seriously injured. Since 2013, CAR’s capital city, Bangui, has been rocked by sectarian violence between the Islamic extremist Séléka rebels and forces of the Christian majority. Sitting on a bench in Sunday school when two of the missiles exploded through the roof, Jeovani’s legs were so badly damaged, they both needed to be amputated. Both Steven and Dieu also lost a leg.

Open Doors has been a constant presence in the lives of these three boys over the last two years, and have recently had them fitted with new prosthetic legs. Still struggling to walk, Jeovani has had extra surgery to help ease his movement and Dieu recently lost his mother to a protracted illness. As all three families are suffering financially, Open Doors has been paying for the boy’s school fees.

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